tech
Michigan man learns the hard way that “catch a cheater” spyware apps aren’t legal
Spying doesn’t become legal just because “cheaters” are the targets.
TL;DR
- pcTattletale, software for monitoring phone and computer usage, was created by Bryan Fleming.
- The software was initially marketed for parental and business monitoring but later shifted to targeting 'cheating spouses'.
- Fleming provided instructions on how to secretly install the software and hide its presence on target devices.
- Federal investigators targeted pcTattletale as part of an investigation into stalkerware.
- Fleming operated pcTattletale from his home in Michigan and was easier to apprehend than many other stalkerware operators.
- Fleming reached out to an affiliate marketer with advertising text targeting 'cheating husbands'.
- Fleming believed the software was more successful when marketed to women seeking to catch their partners.
- In 2024, pcTattletale was hacked, leading to a leak of its data.
- Fleming pleaded guilty in federal court to knowingly building and marketing software for surreptitious interception of communications.
- Many other stalkerware applications remain on the market.